OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
announced today that sport fishing for halibut in Catch Area Two, Westport, will be
restricted effective July 3. The action was taken to conform with the halibut catch
sharing plan which was developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The
catch quota, according the WDFW fish biologists, now has been taken.

The changes are shown on Page 18 of the 1998 "Fishing in Washington"
pamphlet.

The portion of Catch Area 2 which remains open for sport halibut fishing is south
of the Queets River to 47 degrees north latitude, which is near Ocean Shores, and east
of 124 degrees 40 minutes longitude. This area will remain open until the 1,000 pound
quota has been taken.